MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
ABN: 97 008 734 852
PRODUCT NAME: RICHGRO GYPSUM CLAY BREAKER
SECTION 1: IDENTIFICATION OF THE MATERIAL AND SUPPLIER
Product Name: Richgro Gypsum Clay Breaker
Other names: Gypsum, Calcium Sulphate Dihydrate.
Recommended use: As fertiliser, soil conditioner, clay breaker in Agriculture and Horticulture.
Company name: Richgro Garden Products
Address: 203 Acourt Road, Jandakot
State: WA
Telephone number: 08 6258 7100
Postcode: 6164
Emergency Telephone No: 1800 455 132
SECTION 2: HAZARD IDENTIFICATION
Hazard Classification, including a statement of overall hazardous nature
HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE.
Not classified as Hazardous according to Worksafe Australia criteria.
Safety Phrases
S22
Do not breathe dust.
DANGEROUS GOODS.
Not classified as Dangerous Goods according to the ADG Code (7th Edition).
SECTION 3: COMPOSITION / INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS
Chemical identity of
ingredients
Proportion of
ingredients
CAS Number for
ingredients
Calcium Sulphate Dihydrate CaSO4 . 2H2O
Calcite (Ca (CO3))
Quartz
>95 %
<3 %
<2 %
7778-18-9
1317-65-3
14808-60-7
Richgro Gypsum Clay Breaker MSDS.Docx
Issue Date: May 2012
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MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
ABN: 97 008 734 852
PRODUCT NAME: RICHGRO GYPSUM CLAY BREAKER
First Aid Facilities
SECTION 4: FIRST AID MEASURES
FIRST AID PROCEDURES FOR DEALING WITH THIS PRODUCT AND EXPOSURE TO IT
1. Swallowed
Wash out mouth with water immediately and give water to drink.
Do not induce vomiting. If symptoms persist seek medical attention.
2. Eyes
Irrigate immediately with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes while holding eyelids open.
If symptoms develop and persist seek medical attention.
3. Skin
Wash affected skin with plenty of soap and water. If irritation develops and persists seek medical attention.
4. Inhalation
Remove from exposure to fresh air immediately and if not breathing apply artificial respiration and oxygen
if needed. Seek medical attention if discomfort persists.
ADVICE TO DOCTOR.
Treat symptomatically.
Poison Information Centre in each state’s capital city can provide additional assistance
(Phone: 13 11 26)
SECTION 5: FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES
Product flammability
Non-flammable.
Suitable extinguishing media
Use extinguishing media suitable for surrounding fire conditions.
Special Protective Precautions and Equipment for Fire Fighters
Fire fighters should wear a positive-pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and all necessary
protective fire fighting clothing.
Eliminate ignition sources. Move fire exposed containers from fire area if it can be done without risk.
Water spray may be used to cool down heat-exposed containers.
Hazard from combustion products
Non-combustible solid.
Under fire conditions toxic and/or irritating fumes and gases may be generated by thermal decomposition or
combustion, including Carbon Monoxide and Carbon Dioxide.
Richgro Gypsum Clay Breaker MSDS.Docx
Issue Date: May 2012
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MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
ABN: 97 008 734 852
PRODUCT NAME: RICHGRO GYPSUM CLAY BREAKER
Hazchem Code
Not applicable
SECTION 6: ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES
Emergency Procedures
Wear full protective clothing and personal protection. Evacuate all unnecessary personnel. Eliminate all
sources of ignition. Increase ventilation. Avoid generating dust. Stop leak if safe to do so.
Methods and Materials for containment and clean up
Sweep up material avoiding dust generation or dampen spilled material with water to avoid airborne
dust, then transfer material to a suitable container for subsequent recycling or disposal in accordance
with the applicable local and national regulations. Do not let product reach drains or waterways. If
product does enter a waterway, advise the Environmental Protection Authority or your local Waste
Management Authority.
SECTION 7: HANDLING AND STORAGE
Precautions for safe handling
Use only in well ventilated area. Ensure an eye bath is available and ready for use. Observe good personal
hygiene practices and recommended procedures. Wash thoroughly after handling.
Avoid inhalation of dust, contact with eyes, skin and clothing. Remove contaminated clothing and wash
before reuse.
Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities
Store in a cool, dry and well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight and moisture in original containers.
Protect containers/bags against physical damage. Avoid dust generation and accumulation. Store away
from bases, water and other incompatible materials.
Material is stable under normal conditions of storage and use.
SECTION 8: EXPOSURE CONTROLS / PERSONAL PROTECTION
National exposure standards
No exposure standard has been established for this product by the Australian Safety and Compensation
Council (ASCC).
However, the exposure standard for dust not otherwise specified is 10 mg/m3 (for inspirable dust) and
3mg/m3 (for respirable dust).
STEL
STEL
TWA
TWA
(mg/m3)
(mg/kg) (mg/m3) (mg/kg)
Quartz
0.1
Richgro Gypsum Clay Breaker MSDS.Docx
Issue Date: May 2012
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MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
ABN: 97 008 734 852
PRODUCT NAME: RICHGRO GYPSUM CLAY BREAKER
Engineering controls
Ensure adequate local and/or general exhaust ventilation to keep airborne concentrations bellow the
permissible exposure limit.
Personal protective equipment
Respirator: Wear an approved respirator where dusts/vapours are generated and engineering controls
are inadequate (AS1715/1716).
Eyes: Use safety glasses with side shields or chemical goggles (AS1336/1337).
Hands: Wear protective gloves (AS2161).
Clothing: Long-sleeved protective clothing and safety footwear (AS3765/2210).
SECTION 9: PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
Appearance (colour, physical form, shape):
Off-white powder.
Formula: CaSO4 . 2 H2O
Odour: Odourless
pH of 10% solution: Not available
Vapour pressure: Not applicable
Vapour density: Not applicable
Boiling point/range: Not applicable
Melting point: Not available
Evaporation rate: Not applicable
Solubility in water: Not soluble
Specific gravity: 2.30 – 2.35
Percent Volatiles: Not applicable
Flammability: Not flammable
Flash point and method of detecting flash point: Not applicable
Ignition temperature: Not applicable
Richgro Gypsum Clay Breaker MSDS.Docx
Issue Date: May 2012
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MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
ABN: 97 008 734 852
PRODUCT NAME: RICHGRO GYPSUM CLAY BREAKER
SECTION 10: STABILITY AND REACTIVITY
Chemical Stability
Product is stable under normal conditions of use, storage and temperature.
Conditions to avoid
Avoid generating and accumulating dust and wet conditions.
Incompatible Materials
Not available.
Reactivity
Hazardous polymerization has not been reported.
Hazardous Decomposition products
During a fire, irritating and/or toxic gases may be generated by thermal decomposition or combustion.
SECTION 11: TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
HEALTH EFFECTS – ACUTE
Inhalation:
Inhalation of this product dust may irritate, inflame or sensitise the nose, throat and lungs, and aggravate
pre-existing conditions such as asthma and bronchitis.
Skin:
Contact with skin may cause irritation and dryness.
Eye:
May cause mechanical irritation to eyes.
Swallowed:
If swallowed may cause gastrointestinal discomfort, including nausea and vomiting.
HEALTH EFFECTS – CHRONIC
Repeated, prolong or concentrated inhalation may cause delayed lung injury. Breathing of dust may cause
shortness of breath, and aggravate asthma, and inflammatory or fibrotic pulmonary disease. Prolonged or
repeated contact with skin, in the absence of proper hygiene, may cause dryness and dermatitis.
TOXICITY DATA - Carcinogenity:
This product contains a small proportion of respirable crystalline silica as quartz (<1%). Crystalline silica
has been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as carcinogenic to
humans by inhalation (Group 1). Prolonged or repeated inhalation of dust from this product can cause
silicosis and other lung diseases. Silicosis is a disease which causes a scarring of the lungs, progressively
reducing lung function and may lead to death.
Richgro Gypsum Clay Breaker MSDS.Docx
Issue Date: May 2012
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MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
ABN: 97 008 734 852
PRODUCT NAME: RICHGRO GYPSUM CLAY BREAKER
SECTION 12: ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Ecotoxicity
No data available.
Persistence and Degradability
No information available.
Mobility
No information available.
Bioaccumulative Potential
No information available.
SECTION 13: DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS
Disposal methods and containers
Prevent discharge to water, soil and air and dispose in accordance with all Local, State and Federal
environmental regulations. Carefully sweep up and shovel into suitable labeled containers.
Legislation
All empty packaging should be disposed of in accordance with local, state and Federal Regulations or
recycled/reconditioned at an approved facility.
SECTION 14: TRANSPORT INFORMATION
Land Transport (Australia)
Regulation Name: ADG
UN Number
Not applicable.
UN Proper shipping name
Not applicable.
Class and subsidiary risk
Not applicable
Packing group
Not applicable.
Precaution for User
Not classified as Hazardous according to Worksafe Australia criteria.
Not classified as Dangerous Goods according to ADG Code.
Hazchem code
Not applicable.
Richgro Gypsum Clay Breaker MSDS.Docx
Issue Date: May 2012
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MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
ABN: 97 008 734 852
PRODUCT NAME: RICHGRO GYPSUM CLAY BREAKER
SECTION 15: REGULATORY INFORMATION
Australian regulatory information
Poisons Schedule
A poison schedule number has not been allocated to this product using the criteria in the Standard for the
Uniform Scheduling of Drugs and Poisons (SUSDP).
All chemicals listed on the Australian Inventory of Chemical Substances (AICS).
SECTION 16: OTHER INFORMATION
Key / legend to abbreviations and acronyms used in the MSDS
NOHSC
SUSDP
AICS
ACGIH
CAS
ES-TWA
ES-STEL
ES-Peak
LD Lo
LD50
TC Lo
t/m3
mg/m3
mg/kg
pH
National Occupational Health and Safety Commission
Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Drugs and Poisons
Australian Inventory of Chemical Substances
American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists
Chemical Abstracts Service (Registry Number)
Exposure Standard – Time weighted average
Exposure Standard – Short term exposure level
Exposure Standard – Peak level
The lowest dose in an animal study in which lethality occurred
Lethal dose 50. The single dose of a substance that causes the death of 50% of an
animal population from exposure to the substance by any route other than inhalation
Toxic concentration low. It is the lowest concentration of a substance in air to which
humans (or animals) have been exposed for any given period of time that has produced
any toxic effect or produced a tumorigenic or reproductive effect one or more
members of the group of subjects
Tonnes per cubic metre
Milligrams per cubic metre
Milligrams per kilogram
Relates to hydrogen ion concentration - this value will relate to a scale of 0 - 14,
where 0 is highly acidic and 14 is highly alkaline
Richgro Gypsum Clay Breaker MSDS.Docx
Issue Date: May 2012
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MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
ABN: 97 008 734 852
PRODUCT NAME: RICHGRO GYPSUM CLAY BREAKER
IMPORTANT NOTES
1. To the best of our knowledge this document complies with the National Code of Practice
for the Preparation of Material Safety Data Sheets 2nd Edition [NOHSC:2011 (2003)].
2. This material safety data sheet summarises our best knowledge of the health and safety
hazard information of the product and how to safely handle and use the product in the
workplace. Each user should read this material safety data sheet and consider the
information in the context of how the product will be handled and used in the workplace,
including in conjunction with other products.
3. If clarification or further information is needed to ensure that an appropriate risk assessment can
be made, the user should contact the Safety and Emergency Services Department, Richgro
Garden Products on (08) 9455 1323 (Australia), +61 8 9455 1323 (Overseas).
4. Our responsibility for products sold, is subject to our terms and conditions, a copy of which is
sent to our customers, and is also available on request.
5. Richgro Garden Products reserves the right to make change to material safety data sheets
without notice.
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